Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-09-22
Mechancsown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday September e. lS87


woods, listening to the merry ripple of
the brook, and whistling back with
shrill sweetness to the goodnight chirps
of robin, thrush and red winged black
bird in the tree.tops, until she came to
u solitary farmhouse on the edge ofthe
lake.
twas sunset now. The young moon
family mirrored in the lake, cleaned
like a thread of silver. Close beside
streamed the red reflection of the farm
house windows across the placid water.
"There's the doctors carriage at the
door," said Conny. "Its old Mr.. Falk'
ner's rheumatism again. Poor Doctor
Darling! what he has to endure with
Mr.. Falkner's rheumatism | But it
serves his right, for asking Fanny Park
er to 60 to the picnic instead Of our
Lula and for scolding me for giving
Aunt lockwood a bread and butter
poultice, instead Of capcine plaster for
her chest. / know what III DOLL
take a comfortable little-little drive
around the lake IN his carriage, and see
no he'll enjoy walking home Of
course he'll think it. stolen, and be
half.frishtened out of his wits-and
serve him right, too"
The thought, IN .Conny's mind, was
father to the deed.
Quickly and lightly she united the
horse, jumped into the carriage, and
chirruped to old Dick, who yet off at a
dog.trot.
The flowers which she had gathered
she flung INTO the bottom of the car.
riage; her light, striped shawl. tlutter.
ed behind and in the faint moonlight
her eyes shonc like mischcyious stars
1t wassa lonely foad, the fragrant 81.
lent MISUNDERSTANDING itself through
the woods; but Conny feared nothing,
as she drove rapidly along, singing
snatchcs of wild ballads to herself, un-
til suddenly Il tall, dark figure stepped
forth into the road and took the horse
by the head, with an authoritive.
"Halt, there!'
Conny uttered a shrink, and dropped
the reins. The stranger sprans into
the carriage and seated himself beside
her.
"What does all this mean?" said he
in a deep voice What right have
you with my carriase?'
doctor Darlins.' she graspcd.
"Yes, Doctor Darling" said he.
sternly,
III thought you were in at Mr..
Falkner's'' faltered Conny. II want
ed drive and
"And you shall have one,' said the
doctor, composedly. II walked across
to see Mrs. Hadly at the Four Corners,
and l returned, as it seems, just in time
to save my horse and carriage"
Conny did not say word. She
could not think of any excuse to make.
"Where are you golng?" she ventur.
ed to ask in whisper.
ITO Judge Whelpley's. To have you
committed for trial."
~" grasped Conny.
"For horse stealing" succinctly add
ed Doctor Darling.
Conny uttered shrek.
"What will they do to me?" she stanl-
meret holding desperately on to the
side Of the carriage.
~ don't quite know whether it is a
hundred dollars fine or six months in
the penitentiary,' Doctor Darlin grave
ly answered.
| .COnnv Degail 10 CRY.
"But I was only in fun" she sobbed.
81 never mcant-how should Ito
steal the horec y
alt has an awkward look, neverthe-
less, Miss. Boxwool. But of course if
you can make Judge Whep!ey believe
all this"
Poor Conny was thoroughly subdued
at last. With piteous abjectness she
sued for pardon.
',Please-Please, Doctor Darling"
she urged" forgive me! l never could
nay IL hundred dollars; and as for six
months in the pententiary, I'd rather
take poison!'
Just at this moment they drove out
of the dense woods into the broad road,
family lighted by the deepening silver
of the young moon; and Conny, timidly
glanceing up into her face companions
face, saw an amused expression around
the corners If his mouth.
"But you don't really mean it%' said
she
How do you know that don't mean